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Unattended Backpack Causes Closures Near Capitol

Updated: 1:40 p.m.

An unattended backpack was found on the East Front of the Capitol about 12:25 p.m. Thursday, Capitol Police said.

Though they may have found the backpack’s owner, officials are still investigating the area and have closed it to pedestrians, said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider of the Capitol Police. Police will run tests on the backpack.

First Street between Constitution Avenue Northeast and Independence Avenue Southeast has been closed to traffic. East Capitol Street also was closed when the backpack was discovered but has since been reopened.

The situation was cleared around 1 p.m. The East Front and the surrounding streets are open to traffic and pedestrians again.

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